Oniscus asellus vs. Porcellio scaber?

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Nathant
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PostNathant 1/11/2017, 6:34 pm

I am currently keeping around 30 woodlice. I have 3 different species, one of which is Philoscia muscorum, but the other two are Oniscus asselus and Porcellio scaber. The problem with those two is that I find it difficult to tell they are one or the other, the only thing I use is searching (Species name) and looking at images, but I know that is not ideal at all. Are there any easily spotted, distinguishing characteristics to seperate these species?  Question
T.C.
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PostT.C. 1/12/2017, 11:55 am

You could post pictures, and I could try. i have only been keeping them for a short time, but I could give it a go.
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PostHisserdude 1/12/2017, 12:34 pm

Oniscus asellus have a white skirting around the margin of most of their body segments, and sometimes have yellow specks on their back, Porcellio scaber lacks both. Porcellio scaber also has a bunch of small tubercles covering it's body, while Oniscus asellus is rather smooth and shiny looking. Oniscus asellus also have the tendency to get larger and much broader than Porcelio scaber. Once you get the hang of it, telling the two apart is really easy.
Nathant
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PostNathant 1/12/2017, 12:55 pm

Hisserdude wrote:Oniscus asellus have a white skirting around the margin of most of their body segments, and sometimes have yellow specks on their back, Porcellio scaber lacks both. Porcellio scaber also has a bunch of small tubercles covering it's body, while Oniscus asellus is rather smooth and shiny looking. Oniscus asellus also have the tendency to get larger and much broader than Porcelio scaber. Once you get the hang of it, telling the two apart is really easy.

By "white skirting" do you mean there is no skirting at all on P. scaber?
Hisserdude
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PostHisserdude 1/12/2017, 1:05 pm

Nathant wrote:By "white skirting" do you mean there is no skirting at all on P. scaber?

Yes, P.scaber never have white skirting, only O.asellus do. Some P.scaber have pale grey margins, but never white, take these P.scaber for example:

Oniscus asellus vs. Porcellio scaber? P.scaber%25231

O.asellus always have white skirting and look like this, (sorry the image is a bit dark):

Oniscus asellus vs. Porcellio scaber? O.asellus%25234
Nathant
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PostNathant 1/12/2017, 5:00 pm

Hisserdude wrote:
Nathant wrote:By "white skirting" do you mean there is no skirting at all on P. scaber?

Yes, P.scaber never have white skirting, only O.asellus do. Some P.scaber have pale grey margins, but never white, take these P.scaber for example:

Oniscus asellus vs. Porcellio scaber? P.scaber%25231

O.asellus always have white skirting and look like this, (sorry the image is a bit dark):

Oniscus asellus vs. Porcellio scaber? O.asellus%25234

I see. Thank you so much for the help! Very Happy
Hisserdude
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PostHisserdude 1/13/2017, 12:10 am

Nathant wrote:I see. Thank you so much for the help! Very Happy

No problem, happy to help! Smile
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